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Higher Knowledge
And the Path of Inner Development
" All who seek to discover through personal vision the secrets in human nature must follow the golden rule of true spiritual science. This golden rule is as follows : for every one step that you take in the pursuit of higher knowledge, take three steps in the perfection of your own character."
- Rudolf Steiner from
Knowledge of Higher Worlds and Its Attainment
The Path of Inner Development
When we start to explore themes of this kind, the sheer volume of ideas and information available - for instance in a Google search - can be overwhelming : confusing, in some cases contradictory, in some cases potentially misleading, even to our mental health. Is there "something there" - something real, beneficial, inwardly health enhancing to be found ? The intention of this page is to dispel some of the mystery and anxiety - and also some of the risks of going astray in this realm of human striving. Premises here are that development of this kind requires ongoing progress in
- Honest and accurate self knowedge.
- Morality, in the sense of how we value and treat others.
- Cognitive clarity, in the sense of active and logical thinking ; and that
- There is also help available to us on our path, of the best and most trustworthy kind.
The path as I understand it requires that we take our own thoughts, feelings and actions in hand, and become increasingly well grounded in everyday life. The resources at the bottom of our "Living Waters Wellness : The Spirit !" page are chosen towards this end. I'd also like to point out some of the available help just mentioned.
The title of this page differentiates "higher knowledge" and "the path of inner development". They share in common facts and phenomena beyond the physical world we know as a matter of course. Of all who share guidance on these matters, Rudolf Steiner is to my experience the most reliable. His body of work is immense - over 50 books and 6000 lectures on themes from the creation and evolution of the earth to the evolution of human culture and consciousness, to new understandings of reincarnation and karma, social science, education, medicine, agriculture, the arts and more. He also addressed profoundly the core historical event of "The Mystery of Golgatha" - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and His continuing relationship to humanity, and the evolution of the earth. Additionally, Rudolf Steiner initiated and gave guidance to practical work in many of these areas, which continues to this day. His emphasis on health in the cognitive and moral/social realms lends strong foundations not just on spiritual paths, but to everyday life. For an overview both clarifying and reassuring, see for instance
The Conditions of Esoteric Training
As noted, Rudolf Steiner wrote and lectured on a great range of themes - yet his own advice was that it's better to read one book on these matters many times, than many books once. You'll decide yourself how to approach this body of work, but I've personally learned to prefer deep to wide, and to favor this first approach.
The books and themes below are among those Steiner considered central to his work, and give a broad overview of it. I include links to buy them, but also to free online text and audio versions. Among and beyond these basic books, you may find individual themes that speak most closely to your own interests, and your own heart. I recommend close attention to those themes that "light up" for you, as possible keys or inklings where to start.
Introduction by : Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
Resources
Higher Knowledge
And the Path of Inner Development
" All who seek to discover through personal vision the secrets in human nature must follow the golden rule of true spiritual science. This golden rule is as follows : for every one step that you take in the pursuit of higher knowledge, take three steps in the perfection of your own character."
- Rudolf Steiner from
Knowledge of Higher Worlds and Its Attainment
The Path of Inner Development
When we start to explore themes of this kind, the sheer volume of ideas and information available - for instance in a Google search - can be overwhelming : confusing, in some cases contradictory, in some cases potentially misleading, even to our mental health. Is there "something there" - something real, beneficial, inwardly health enhancing to be found ? The intention of this page is to dispel some of the mystery and anxiety - and also some of the risks of going astray in this realm of human striving. Premises here are that development of this kind requires ongoing progress in
- Honest and accurate self knowedge.
- Morality, in the sense of how we value and treat others.
- Cognitive clarity, in the sense of active and logical thinking ; and that
- There is also help available to us on our path, of the best and most trustworthy kind.
The path as I understand it requires that we take our own thoughts, feelings and actions in hand, and become increasingly well grounded in everyday life. The resources at the bottom of our "Living Waters Wellness : The Spirit !" page are chosen towards this end. I'd also like to point out some of the available help just mentioned.
The title of this page differentiates "higher knowledge" and "the path of inner development". They share in common facts and phenomena beyond the physical world we know as a matter of course. Of all who share guidance on these matters, Rudolf Steiner is to my experience the most reliable. His body of work is immense - over 50 books and 6000 lectures on themes from the creation and evolution of the earth to the evolution of human culture and consciousness, to new understandings of reincarnation and karma, social science, education, medicine, agriculture, the arts and more. He also addressed profoundly the core historical event of "The Mystery of Golgatha" - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and His continuing relationship to humanity, and the evolution of the earth. Additionally, Rudolf Steiner initiated and gave guidance to practical work in many of these areas, which continues to this day. His emphasis on health in the cognitive and moral/social realms lends strong foundations not just on spiritual paths, but to everyday life. For an overview both clarifying and reassuring, see for instance
The Conditions of Esoteric Training
As noted, Rudolf Steiner wrote and lectured on a great range of themes - yet his own advice was that it's better to read one book on these matters many times, than many books once. You'll decide yourself how to approach this body of work, but I've personally learned to prefer deep to wide, and to favor this first approach.
The books and themes below are among those Steiner considered central to his work, and give a broad overview of it. I include links to buy them, but also to free online text and audio versions. Among and beyond these basic books, you may find individual themes that speak most closely to your own interests, and your own heart. I recommend close attention to those themes that "light up" for you, as possible keys or inklings where to start.
Introduction by : Jeff Smith RN (Retired)
Resources
Theosophy : An Introduction to the Spiritual Processes in Human Life and in the Cosmos
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Knowledge of Higher Worlds : How Is It Attained ?
Buy Read for Free Listen !
An Outline of Esoteric Science
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Christianity As Mystical Fact and the Mysteries of Antiquity
Buy Read for Free Listen !
From Jesus to Christ
Buy Read For Free Listen
Reincarnation and Karma : Two Fundamental Truths of Human Existence
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Life between Death and Rebirth : The Active Connection between the Living and the Dead
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Towards Social Renewal : Rethinking the Basis of Society
Buy Read for Free Listen !
The Renewal of the Social Organism
Buy Read for Free Listen !
The Foundation Stone / The Life, Nature & Cultivation of Anthroposophy
Buy Read for Free
From Other Authors
The Anthroposophical Understanding of the Soul F. W. Zeylmans van Emmichoven
The Foundation Stone F. W. Zeylmans van Emmichoven
Phases : The Spiritual Rhythms in Adult Life Bernard Lievegoed
Phases of Childhood : Growing in Body, Soul and Spirit Bernard Lievegoed
Mystery Streams in Europe Bernard Leivegoed
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Knowledge of Higher Worlds : How Is It Attained ?
Buy Read for Free Listen !
An Outline of Esoteric Science
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Christianity As Mystical Fact and the Mysteries of Antiquity
Buy Read for Free Listen !
From Jesus to Christ
Buy Read For Free Listen
Reincarnation and Karma : Two Fundamental Truths of Human Existence
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Life between Death and Rebirth : The Active Connection between the Living and the Dead
Buy Read for Free Listen !
Towards Social Renewal : Rethinking the Basis of Society
Buy Read for Free Listen !
The Renewal of the Social Organism
Buy Read for Free Listen !
The Foundation Stone / The Life, Nature & Cultivation of Anthroposophy
Buy Read for Free
From Other Authors
The Anthroposophical Understanding of the Soul F. W. Zeylmans van Emmichoven
The Foundation Stone F. W. Zeylmans van Emmichoven
Phases : The Spiritual Rhythms in Adult Life Bernard Lievegoed
Phases of Childhood : Growing in Body, Soul and Spirit Bernard Lievegoed
Mystery Streams in Europe Bernard Leivegoed
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